Some sports figures remain bigger than life. William Harrison “Jack” Dempsey was one of those towering legends who embraced the Roaring Twenties as well as anyone in sports history. The world champion boxer helped create the “Golden Age of Sports.”

Dempsey woke up the boxing world when he became the first boxer to attract a million-dollar gate. He won the championship in 1919 when prizefighting was illegal in most states. He starred in movies, made numerous trips to Europe and even paid President Calvin Coolidge a visit at the White House.

Most intriguing was the turning point in his career when his over-the-top popularity surfaced after losing his title fight to Gene Tunney. The Sept. 23, 1926, losing effort solidified the former champion in the hearts and minds of the public and made him insanely famous.

William Harrison Dempsey was born in Manassa, Colo., on June 24, 1895. After graduating from 8th grade, he began preparing for his vocation.

In his book “Jack Dempsey The Manassa Mauler,” Randy Roberts writes: “At 11 he was bathing his face and hands in beef brine, giving them a leather-like texture,” and chewing pine resin to add strength to his jaw. Known at first as “Kid Blackie,” he began fighting for money in 1914 by challenging anyone willing to fight — regardless of their size or age. His early fights were held in crude saloons and mining camps.

Area residents got a glimpse of Dempsey on July 4, 1918. He was featured in a 12-round match with Bob Devere from Kansas City. The fight took place at Miners Park. The Globe reported that Dempsey never broke a sweat in the summer heat as he knocked out Devere in less than two minutes.

Exactly one year later, Dempsey’s boxing career dramatically changed when he scored a technical knock out against Jess Willard for the heavyweight championship on Independence Day, 1919, in Toledo, Ohio. The 187-pound challenger knocked down the 245-pound Willard seven times in three rounds. Dempsey’s devastating left hook fractured Willard’s cheekbone in thirteen places while extracting six of his teeth. Ouch!

But it was his first fight in Philadelphia with Gene Tunney that would make Dempsey king of the ring. The official attendance of 120,757 spectators paid a collective $1,895,733 to watch Tunney outbox Dempsey in a driving rain storm. The Sept. 23 bout was a perception-changer for Dempsey because it was his gracious demur in defeat that left a lasting impression with boxing fans.

Nearly one year later, he fought Tunney again, this time at Solider Field in Chicago where 104,943 observed the bout, generating an eye-popping $2,658,660 at the gate. Millions more listened at home. In fact, Frederick Lewis Allen in his book, “Only Yesterday,” claims that “five Americans dropped dead of heart failure at their radios” from the excitement.

In the seventh round, Tunney left his feet and fell to the canvas from a punch to the head. Although disciples of Dempsey swore that their hero was robbed by a 13-second “long count,” Tunney got off the mat and prevailed. Dempsey lost the fight but was soothed with a check for $425,000.

Second visit

Dempsey visited Joplin a second time on Feb. 3, 1930. Life was quite different on this occasion because he was now an American idol. He had come a long way since his fight in Joplin some twelve years earlier. This time he came to Joplin as a referee, not as a fighter.

His 1930 visit was a whirlwind tour of the city. Dempsey and his entourage arrived at the Joplin Frisco train station in a private car at 11:05 am. He was greeted by 500 fans and then was hustled off to his suite at the Connor Hotel. Everywhere he went, adoring fans swarmed. They even watched him get shaved in John London’s Connor Barber Shop.

A special luncheon was held in his honor at the hotel. Sponsored by Hugh Poynor (agent for United States Zinc Company) and Carl Childress (local mine operator), the lunch was attended by 50 businessmen. Dempsey graciously spoke to the group stating, “It is men like you who provided the backbone of the fight business, and I want to tell you that I appreciate the support you have given this great game. It is my earnest desire that the fight game shall continue to hold the place it has in recent years and you can help by your interest and loyal support.”

Following lunch, Dempsey found time to visit children staying at both hospitals, St. John’s and Freeman. After visiting the hospitals, he traveled to the Children’s Home and Hospital located at 3rd Street and Comingo Avenue. The Globe reported that Dempsey did not arrive empty- handed as his “motor car was virtually filled with boxes of candy.” This was a pretty special gesture for a guy who grew up without owning a toy or ever tasting sugar candy until he was 15 years old.